When architect <a href="http://www.kovacarchitects.com/project/sycamore-house#prettyPhoto">Michael Kovac</a> decided to design his own home in California, he reached for the greenest stars, resulting in one of the first <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/leed-platinum/">LEED Platinum</a> residences in the state. The green-roofed Sycamore House is carved into a steep site in the Palisades that boasts three beautiful sycamore trees and features a bevy of advanced strategies that minimize its environmental impact.

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Sycamore House by Kovac Architects

The Sycamore House in California replaced an existing home, 75% of which was recycled

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Sycamore House by Kovac Architects

The name is derived from three sycamore trees on the property

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Sycamore House by Kovac Architects

The home is solar-powered and cooled geothermal

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Sycamore House by Kovac Architects

The wood flooring was recycled and all new timber used is FSC certified

Sycamore House by Kovac Architects

When architect Michael Kovac decided to design his own home in California, he reached for the greenest stars, resulting in one of the first LEED Platinum residences in the state. The green-roofed Sycamore House is carved into a steep site in the Palisades that boasts three beautiful sycamore trees and features a bevy of advanced strategies that minimize its environmental impact.